On broken fingers and new helmets

Pena describes pain; Hunter weighs in on big lids

Here are some of the notable quotes from around Major League Baseball this week:

"I was crushed. I felt like if you took my heart, threw it on the ground, stepped on it a million times - that's how bad it felt. I was really very excited about the next 25 games. I was looking forward to them. To have that taken away, it just crushed me. That hurt more than the hit-by-pitch itself."

-Tampa Bay first baseman Carlos Pena commenting on how he felt when he realized the broken left hand he suffered after getting hit by a pitch on Monday ended his 2009 season.
(Tampa Tribune)

"I've been facing guys that throw 100 mph for 17 years. I've been hit in the head, hit in the face. I've got to tell you, I don't think I like that helmet."

"He watched every one he could watch. That's how I got the criticism. That's how I learned. There have probably been only one or two days all year when I didn't talk to my parents."

-Cleveland rookie Michael Brantley, discussing the help of his father, Mickey, who spent four years as part of the Seattle Mariners organization.
(Akron Beacon Journal)

"To me, that changed the game. It's a different game if that ball falls because they're going to get a run. But that's an unbelievable play he made."

-New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi commenting on a fifth-inning catch by center fielder Brett Gardner on Monday against Tampa Bay. Gardner raced into right-center and tumbled on the warning track after snaring a drive with a runner on base.
(New York Daily News)

"Just once, I'd like to go out there with his stuff. Just to see."

-Kevin Correia of the Padres commenting on what it would be like to have Tim Lincecum's repertoire.
(San Diego Union-Tribune)

"In fact, we were kind of lucky that he'd only pitched an inning since Sept. 1, because we didn't really have anyone else when Timmy's back got cranky."

- Giants general manager Brian Sabean on the decision to call up top pitching prospect Madison Bumgarner when Tim Lincecum came down with a sore back.
(San Francisco Chronicle)

"For me personally, it's not a big surprise. But looking back to when I was first signed by the Mariners and went to Spring Training my very first year, and I was kind of criticized by the media, when I look back to that moment, there is meaning now."

-Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki on reaching the 2,000-hit milestone..Seattle Times

"Whenever they put me in the lineup, I'll try to go out there and do what I've been doing. If it's playing against lefties, go out there and help. Hopefully, I'll be swinging the bat and play against right-handers, too."

"If I have a bad outing and have to pitch today, I'm not going to the mound thinking I had a bad outing last time. I'm not like that. I come normal. I try to do my job and if doesn't happen, I go back calmly to the dugout. It wasn't my day."

-Leo Nunez, Marlins closer, on rebounding to pitch a perfect ninth inning after allowing two homers in his previous outing.
(South Florida Sun-Sentinel)

"He could have 18 [wins]. He could be in the running for the Cy Young with any luck at all."

"I've got to be more consistent. That's what this game is. I have been consistent at every level through trial and error, and I feel that's the last thing I have to do is be consistent at this level. I've shown I can play here and hit here, but now I have to show I can do it every day."

"It's been great. We got a unique situation here. We got a lot of young guys, so I think it's been a little bit different than most guys' first year in the big leagues. But it's been fun getting to work with guys you worked with in the past, and be able to sort of all improve at the same time."

"This is a situation for them to come and learn and learn from some of the best players who ever played, particularly in this town. I think it's good for Tommy. I think it's good for Chris. I think he'll be able to see how [Geoff] Blum goes about his work, how [Miguel] Tejada goes about his work, see how Lance [Berkman] goes about it. Just to get a chance to watch some real good veteran players prepare to play I think it's a great experience for them because they're the future. I think we're going to count on them down the road."

"I'm as old school as anybody, but there's nothing wrong with that. You've got to have some fun. I've seen a lot worse things go on than that.
"It's not disrespect for the other team. It's not about them. It's about us."

-David Weathers commenting on his teammates' celebration at home plate on Sunday after Prince Fielder hit a walk-off home run in the 12th inning against San Francisco. Fielder hopped on the plate and his teammates went sprawling backwards like human bowling pins.
(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)